Earlier in March, Cortana got updated on Android to version 2.5 with one important feature: optional lockscreen integration. This allowed users to swipe from their lockscreen to reveal their personal feed including calendar appointments, news, and contextual information they might need. However, it didn't include the ability to interact with Cortana or ask it questions.

With today's update to v2.6, that is now possible. You can ask Cortana questions, set reminders, and more without unlocking your device first. It's more about convenience and less about security I presume. There are also improvements to the way the Cortana home feed is displayed on Android, easier ways to set reminders and lists without using voice, and a few other enhancements.

What’s new in Cortana 2.6.0
• Improved positioning above the lock screen
• New view for a quick glance of your day
• Buttons to create Reminders and Lists from Cortana home
• Improved reminder experience and location triggering
Thanks for using Cortana!

The other major thing to note is that the Cortana app is now officially available in the land down under, Australia, after launching in the US and spreading to the UK. You can grab it from the Play Store at the link below or manually download v2.6 from APK Mirror.

Comments

I wouldn't count Microsoft out of the AI game, I'd say they're right up there right now with Google and Amazon

Atoqir

I don't know. For some reason it always feels "tacked on" or "hacked in" the OS. I don't have that feeling with Google Assistant, Siri or even S-Voice.

Also I put my settings on US. But while Google Assistant isn't officially released either here it gives me correct information for my Belgian trains to home, restaurants, trips, .... Cortana can't do anything of that.

I'd say definitely on par with the likes of siri; nowhere close to Google.

ddevito

You asked it a very concise question. And I wasn't even talking about Cortana as an assitant, I was referring to Microsoft's AI in general. They're built well for it with Azure, and they have the best tools for devs on their platform. All I said was don't count them out.

And let's be honest, Google Assistant is still rather useless in its current form, nice trolling.